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Lecture 2: Research in social psych part 1 - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Sampling: who are we going to collect data from
        
        Probability sampling
        
        Everyone in the population having equal chance of being selected for study, which helps generalize findings to a population - random sampling essentially
        
        Disadvantages of Probability Sampling
        
        Higher complexity compared to non-probability sampling.
        
        More time-consuming.
        
        Usually more expensive than non-probability sampling.
        
        Non-probability sampling
        
        Sample based on availability
        
        Convenient sampling
        
        a type of non-probability sampling method where the sample is taken from a group of people easy to contact or to reach; for example, standing at a mall or a grocery store
        
        Disadvantages: Some members have no chance of being sampled, the extent to which a non-probability sample – regardless of its size actually represents the entire population cannot be known
        
        Snowball sampling
        
        a recruitment technique in which research participants are asked to assist researchers in identifying other potential subjects.
      - Choosing a research method: how do we collect the data?
        
        Experimental methods
        
        Types of experiments
        
        Lab experiments
        
        Pros: high degree of control over situation
        
        Con: artificial setting, low external validity as it has low mundane realism
        
        Quasi experiments
        
        Pro: studying independent variables that cannot be manipulated for practical or ethical resons
        
        Con: cannot randomly assign participants to experimental and control groups
        
        Field experiments
        
        Pros: Participants act more naturally, can genaralize to real world (higher external validity and mundane realism)
        
        Example: Field experiment testing the theory “symbols of authority lead to obedience” (Bickman,1974) Control group: Typical clothes Experimental group: Security guard uniform
        
        Cons: Less control over variables that bias results, less internal validity for causation, may not be possible to do random assignment of participants to groups
        
        Field or lab?
        
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        Answers Causal questions
        
        Key features of experiments
        
        Manipulation of the independent variable
        
        Control group: does not get exposed to IV
        
        Experimental group: gets exposed to independent variable
        
        Clear and accurate measurement of the dependent variable
        
        Control over all other variables
        
        Ensures internal validity: Internal validity refers to the degree of confidence that the causal relationship being tested is trustworthy and not influenced by other factors or variables.
        
        Random assignment of participants to control and experimental groups
        
        Ensures external validity: External validity refers to the extent to which results from a study can be applied (generalized) to other situations, groups, or events.
        
        Non-experimental methods
        
        Each type of method
        
        Observation
        
        Type of data collected
        
        Qualitative: behaviour description
        
        Quantitative: recording number of behiaviours displayed for example
        
        Type of observational studies
        
        Observation by independant researched
        
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        Participant observation
        
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        Surveys
        
        Descriptive questions: describe behcviour
        
        Correlative question: examine relations between attributes and respnse (like age and happiness) or other sets of responses
        
        Questionnaire design
        
        Avoid double barrel
        
        Avoid double negatives
        
        Avoid leading questions
        
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        Avoid framing context that leads to a desired answer
        
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        Interviews (1 to 1)
        
        Structured
        
        Predetermined questions, no follow up (which is a con)
        
        can be used to answer descriptive and correlatve questions
        
        NO FLEXIBILITY IN FOLLOW UP
        
        Semi-structured
        
        Uses a topic guide with pre-defined general questions + specific questions with no linear sequence
        
        allows collection of detailed information from participant's own perspective without making connections
        
        interviewers need to be trained to ask follw up qns
        
        Focus Groups (4 to 8)
        
        Participants responses are distorted by
        
        Social desirability & presence of others for focus groups
        
        Considerations
        
        Practical and ethical consideration
        
        Practical or ethical to manipulate independent variable?
        
        Yes: experimental method (but questionable)
        
        No: Non-experimental method
        
        Amount of knowledge researchers have on topic
        
        Clear understanding on operational concepts: Experimental method
        
        MInimal operational knowledge, qualititative research preferred: minimal knowledge
        
        Nature of topic
        
        Mostly non-constroversial: Experimental (debateable still)
        
        Might be controversial: Non-experimental methods
        
        Type of research question asked
        
        Causal: experimental methods
        
        Correlational, descriptive: non-experimental